Apparatus for lubricating the journal of a railway vehicle



G. BRERETON 3,037,823

APPARATUS FOR LUBRICATING THE JOURNAL OF A RAILWAY VEHICLE June 5, 1962Filed Aug. 15) 1960 Z 0 1 A j IRA A III J/vve'lvraiq, G/lBERT BPERE 10 NIII/II IIIIIIVII/II A United States Patent '0 3,037,823 APPARATUS FORLUBRICATING THE JOURNAL OF A RAILWAY VEHICLE Gilbert Brereton, 55Russell Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Filed Aug. 15, 1960, Ser. No.49,619 6 Claims. (Cl. 308-88) The invention relates to apparatus forlubricating the journals of railway cars.

According to the most commonly used methods lubrication of the journalwithin the journal box is accomplished by packing tightly around thejournal a quantity of absorbent material, such as bunched cottonthreads, commonly known as waste, soaked in oil. As by this methodconstant frictional contact must be maintained between the journal andthe surrounding waste great care must be taken to keep the wastesupplied with oil, not only from the standpoint of efficient lubricationbut from the point of danger of tire which would almost certainly resultfrom frictional engagement between the rapidly rota'ting journal andwaste which had become dry. Ignition of waste usually results inburnt-out bearings and other costly damage, besides frequentlynecessitating stops on the right-of-way, with resultant danger ofaccident.

According to the present invention the oiling mediums are in the form ofwicklike elements projecting upwardly from within an oil reservoirwithin the journal box and so supported that although in contrastcontact with the journal at opposite sides thereof, they are not underpressure, and further are mounted for limited rocking movement relativeto the journal, so that danger of fire through frictional contactbetween the rotating journal and the oiling mediums is entirelyeliminated, even though through lack of attention the wick-like oiltransferring medium should become dry temporarily through depletion ofoil in the reservoir.

The main object of the invention is to provide simple and dependablelubrication apparatus which will insure proper lubrication of thejournalfor the maximum length of time with a given quantity oflubricant.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a lubricant feedassembly constructed entirely of flexible material, such as rubber andfabric and of such dimensions that the entire assembly can be readilypassed through the conventional door of the journal box for insertionand removal.

And generally the objects of the invention are to provide eflicientlubricating apparatus of sirnple and durable construction, which willrequire no attention after installation and which will be inexpensive toproduce.

An important feature of the invention resides in the oil transferringmediums, which may consist of hair-like fibres, preferably woven intowick-like form, having the ability to absorb oil and to raise it throughcapillary attraction from an oil reservoir in the bottom of the journalbox into contact with the journal.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the carrier forthe oil transferring mediums, such car rier comprising a cradlestructure of substantially U- shaped cross section elongated lengthwiseof the journal box beneath the journal and mounted to rock transverselyof the longitudinal axis of the journal, the said cradle having uprightsides extending above the horizontal centre of the journal and beingspaced apart, somewhat greater than the diameter of the journal, saidsides being adapted to support the oil transferring wicks folded thereover at their longitudinal centres so that the portions of the wicks atopposite sides of their folds will depend downwardly over the inner andouter surfaces of the respective sides of the cradle. The bottom of thecradle Fatented June 5, 1952 has a lengthwise extending slot in itstransverse centre to receive the inner folds of the wicks, which extenddownwards at an inward incline from the top edges of the cradle sides inspaced relation to the inner surfaces of said sides and pass throughsaid slot and are joined beneath the bottom of the cradle body to theouter folds which extend down the outer surfaces of the cradle sides,the folds of the wicks being of sufiicient length to provide generousportions below the cradle adapted to lie immersed in oil in thereservoir formed in the bottom of the journal box. The cradle has itsbottom rounded transversely, or has rockers attached thereto, so as topermit limited rocking movement thereo f transversely of the journalthrough vibratory motion of the car and thus prevent any danger ofpressure on the wicks which might cause same to be unyieldingly held tocontact with the journal.

Still another important feature of the invention resides in the mannerof removably attaching the oil transferring mediums to the cradlewhereby they may be quickly attached or detached.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in thenovel features of construction, arrangements and combinations of partsset out in the present specification and more particularly pointed outin the claims for novelty following.

In describing the invention reference will be made to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section through a journal box equipped withmy improved journal lubricating apparatus, the associated portion of thejournal being shown in full.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section on the line 22 of FIGURE 1, showing therockable cradle which carries the journal lubricating wicks tilted inone direction.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing the cradle tilted in thedirection opposite to that shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a top perspective view of the rockable cradle and the oiltransferring mediums carried thereby.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section through one side of a cradle having twolubricating wicks over its inner wall surface.

Li-ke numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the variousfigures.

Referring to the drawings, 1 denotes a journal box such as is commonlyused to receive through one end wall thereof, indicated at 2., the oneend of axle 3, which latter has that portion 4 of its length within thejournal box reduced in diameter and provided with a head 5 at itsextreme outer end.

The journal box is of conventional shape, comprising a flat top 6, sidewalls 7 extending downwards in parallel relation to one another for thegreater part of the depth of the box and then reducing, as at 8, to amedial relatively narrow bottom 9, so that there is provided a reservoir19 which extends lengthwise the full extent of the box.

A metal block 11 of a width slightly greater than the diameter of thejournal 4 and in length being somewhat shorter than the said journal,extends lengthwise of the journal in spacedbrelation thereto and hasmounted in a suitable recess in its lower face a bearing member 12 ofbabbitt metal, which is curved transversely as at 13, throughout itslength to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the journal 4 withwhich it lies in contact. The block 12 is secured the journal box withits flat top parallel with the inner face of the top wall of the box bymeans of lateral extensions 14 of the block 11 which lie between the topof the box and flanges 15 which project inwards from the walls 7 of thebox. The extensions 14 are slightly less in depth than the space betweenthe flanges and the top 6 to permit of limited up and down movement ofthe block 11 due to vibration. The total width of the block 11 includingthe extensions 14 is slightly less tnan the interior width'of the box,as is shown in FIGURE 2. The end wall 16 or the journal box opposed tothat through which the journal extends is projected outwardly anddownwardly from the top 6 for the greater part of its depth to providean inclined part which recedes from a point below the vertical centre ofthe journal box to the bottom, as shown at 17. This inclined wall isprovided with a door 18 hinged at its. top, as at 19, to swing upwardlyto provide access to the interior of the box. Ribs 20 extend along thesides of the journal box in opposition to one another at points somewhatabove the horizontal centre of the journal.

The journal box and journal structure thus far described is conventionalin character and applicant does not claim novelty for such structure,his invention residing in means in combination with such dmcribed meansto provide lubricating contact with the journal Within the conventionaljournal box.

A cradle-like carrier 21 provides the means for 'supporting wick-likelubricating elements 22 and 23 with their ends immersed in lubricatingmaterial in a reservoir 10 formed in the bottom of the journal box, andportions of their lengths in contact with the journal at opposite sidestnereof. This carrier, hereinafter referred to as the cradle, consistsof a moulded rubber device of substantially U-shaped cross section,which extends almost the entire length of the part 4- of the journal andhas its bottom rounded transversely, as at 24.

The cradle has outstanding ribs 25 at its ends, extending around itsbottom 24 and its sides 26 and 2.7 and adapted to lie on the bottom ofthe reservoir and so hold the bottom spaced above the bottom of thereservoir,

and also provides rockers for the cradle.

The closed bottom of the U-shaped cradle is of considerably greatervertical thickness than the horizontal thickness of the sides and has inits transverse centre a. vertical slot 28 extending throughout thegreater part of that portion thereof which lies between the ribs 25. Thesidesof the cradle are spaced apart a distance somewhat greater than thediameter of the journal and extend upwards in slightly inward curves topoints somewhat above the centre of the journal and short of theinternal ribs 20 of the journal box. 7

' As means to limit the lateral rocking movement and, further, toprovide means for'holding the wicks 22 and '23 in position, as will beexplained more fully hereinafter, rubber studs 29 and 30, which arepreferably cast integral with the cradle sides'are arranged to projectlaterally from theouter surfaces of the cradle sides near the top edgesof said sides, said studs being in the rock- 7 ing movement. of thecradle adapted toimpinge the side walls of the journal box alternatelyand being of such; length asgto the tilt of the cradle to a slightdegree 'in respect -to the journal. As means to transfer oil from thejournal box into contact with the journal at opposite sides of thelatter'l employ two wick-like members 22. and 23, hereinbeforementioned. Each-of the wicks-is folded in'substantially its longitudinalcentre over the 'top end of V a side of the cradle to provide innerportions 28:: and outer portions 28b and the end of each portion 28awithin the cradle is passed through the slot: 28 in the bottom'ofthecradle and drawn sufliciently tight that the portion below the topend'of the cradleside and the slot 28 will normally lie spaced from thecradle side and in yielding contact with'the journal fromsubstantially'its lowest'point to substantially its outermostcircumferential point; The V portion 28b of each wick is drawndownwardly over the outer surface of the cradle side over which it liesand is secured'to'theinner fold of the same wick by'means of stitching31, or by any other suitable fastening means,

4 and the end portions '32 ofthe wicks beyond their connected points 31are preferably turned laterally to lie immersed in the lubricantcontained in the reservoir 10.

The portions of the wicks which extend over the outer surfacesof thecradle sides are provided with apertures 33 suitably located to receivethe studs 2.9 and 3% to hold the said wicks against displacement.

Straps 35 extended through suitable slots 36 in the sides of the cradlenear at least'one' end thereof and hav ing their ends detachably securedtogether by some suitable type of fasteners, indicated at 37, providemeans for carrying the cradle and for facilitating the withdrawal ofsame from the journal box.

In the use of this invention the wick members 22 and 23 are first foldedover the'top edges of the sides of the cradle and the inner foldsthreaded through the slot 28 in the bottom of the cradle, after whichthe outer folds are drawn downwardly and fastened to the inner folds atthe corresponding sides. The assembly is then inserted through the doorof the journal box and placed in position on the floor of the box withthe end portions 32 of the wicks immersed in the lubricant which haspreviously been placed in the reservoir. In this position the innerfolds of the wicks will extend around and lie in constant engagementwith the lower half of the journal and as the wicks are in a continualstate of saturation due to oil being drawn by capillary attraction fromthe reservoir the oiled surfaces of said wicks will be brushed by therotating journal and therefore kept in a properly lubricated condition.

Because the ribs 25 which provide the supports for the cradle arerounded transversely of the cradle the vibration caused by the motion ofthe car will cause the cradle to rock gently, thereby continuallyvarying the degree of friction between the wicks and thejournal, thustending to prolong the life of the wicks and making for economyreservoir 10' of the in oil consumption.

'In the event that through excessive vibrationof the car the cradleshould have a tendency to creep upwardly, at one side of the journal boxthe corresponding cradle side will impinge the rib 20 and so beprevented from further upward movement.

In FIGURE 5 a modified structure is shown in which two wicks are used ateach side of the journal to raise oil from the rservoir 10, there beinga wick 39 positioned between each of the inner folds of'the Wicks 22 and23 and the corresponding sides of the cradle. The wicks 39 lie behindthe wicks 22 and Q3 and have suitable button-hole like apertures 40 neartheir one ends which receive the studs 29 and 30 and said wicks 39extend over the top edges of the cradle sides parallel with the innerfolds of the wicks and through the slot 28, Where they are connectedby'suitable stitching to the inner and outer folds of the wicks at thecorresponding sides, and they have end parts extending beyondsaidconnections to lie in the oil in the reservoir 10.

The present invention provides simple, ellicient and vehicles.

. While I have shown and described herein the present preferred forms ofconstruction and arrangements of parts for carrying out my saidinvention; these are capable of variation and modification, I,therefore, do not wish to be. limited to the precise details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts set out herein but desire to availmyself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope ofthe appended claims.

, What I claim as my invention is: 1. Lubricating means for the journalof a railway vehicle, said means including a journal box having anoilreservoir below the journal and oil therewithin, a cradle supportedwithin said journal box below said journal and adapted for rockingmovement transversely of the journal box, said cradle having anexteriorly roundedbottom and sides extending upwardly therefrom, theinterior surface of said bottom and sides following generally thecurvature of said journal but on a greater radius, said cradle having aslot through its bottom extending lengthwise thereof beneath thejournal, wick-like sheets of absorbent material folded over the topedges of said cradle sides, respectively, and depending downwardlythereover and having their ends immersed in the oil in said reservoir,the portions of said wick-like elements which extend downwards withinsaid cradle passing through said slot in the bottom of the cradle,fastening means securing together the inner and outer folds of therespective sheets of absorbent material around the corresponding cradlesides whereby the folds thereof which extend downwards within the cradlewill be held out of contact with the interior surfaces of the cradlesides and will provide yieldable oiling mediums in continuous contactwith the bottom and lower side of the journal, and means to limit therocking movement of said cradle.

2. Lubricating means for the journal of a railway vehicle having ajournal box receiving a journal through one of its ends and having adoor in its other end, said journal box having an oil reservoirextending lengthwise thereof beneath the journal and containing oiltherein, a cradle comprising a flexible, resilient member deformable forentry through said door, said cradle comprising a body of substantiallyU-shaped cross section elongated lengthwise of the journal box beneaththe journal and having a rounded bottom and sides rising to at least thevertical centre of the journal, the interior transverse curvature ofsaid cradle following substantially the contour of said journal but on agreater radius, said cradle having in the transverse centre of itsbottom a slot elongated lengthwise of the bottom, said cradle furtherhaving lateral flanges near its ends constituting rockers adapted toseat on the bottom of said reservoir, studs extending laterally from theouter surfaces of the cradle sides in spaced relation to each otherlengthwise of said sides, wick-like absorbent elements folded over thetop edges of said cradle sides and depending downwards at opposite sidesof said cradle sides and having their ends immersed in the oil in saidreservoir for transferring oil by capillary attraction to the portionsof said elements within said cradle, said portions of said wick-likeelements depending downwardly within the cradle inclining from the topedges of the cradle sides to said slot and passing therethrough, andmeans for holding the said inclined portions of said wicklike elementsfree of contact with the inner surfaces of the cradle sides.

3. Lubricating means for the journal of a railway vehicle, according toclaim 2, characterized in that said wick-like elements have aperturestherethrough adapted to receive said studs etxending from the outersurfaces of the cradle sides to locate said elements in respect to saidcradle sides.

4. Lubricating means for the journal of a railway vehicle, according toclaim 1, characterized by horizontally aligned ribs extending along theinner surfaces of the sides of the journal box to limit the upwardtilting movement of said cradle.

5. Lubricating means for the journal of a railway vehicle, according toclaim 1, characterised by looped straps extending through apertures inthe sides of the cradle to provide means for facilitating withdrawal ofthe cradle from the journal box.

6. Lubricating means for the journal of a railway vehicle, said meansincluding a journal box having an oil reservoir below the journal andoil therewithin, a cradle supported within said journal box below saidjournal and adapted for rocking movement transversely of the journalbox, said cradle having an exteriorly rounded bottom and sides extendingupwardly therefrom, studs extending laterally from the outer surfaces ofsaid cradle sides, the inner surfaces of said bottom and sides followinggenerally the curvature of said journal but on a greater radius, saidcradle having a slot through its bottom extending lengthwise thereofbeneath and in substantial vertical alignment with the transverse centreof the journal, wick-like sheets of absorbent material folded over thetop edges of said cradle sides, respectively, the portions of saidwick-like sheets at the outer sides of said cradle sides being removablysecured on said studs, the portions of said wick-like sheets within saidcradle extending downwardly in converging relation to each other atopposite sides of and in continuous yelding contact with said journaland extending through said slot and having their lower ends immersed inthe oil in said reservoir, and means to limit the rocking movement ofsaid cradle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

